Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-30
COMRADES In COUNCIL.
THE G. A. R. tNCAMPMENT APPROVES
TIE NEW PENSION BILL.

|
ST LOUIS, Mo, Sept. 80 Among the res
olutions submitted and referred in the g. A.
| K. encampment Wednesday was one by Com
ride Vaniervoort, censuring the president
| for his veto oil the dependent pensions bill
and when the encampment was called to or
| der at 9 n M. Thursday il was expected that
| there wouli he a lively debate on the matter ;s
! it was reported that the committee was In
| favor of the resolution. But this expectation
| was not fulfilled
SHERMAN" is the conutersign for the pres
| ent nesting of the convention, and it has
| been communicated to 50 many oon,futes
tlat all day long the galleries were packet.
| Tue big dynumos under the hall were whnl-
| ing aud rumblng, and it almost lmiossi-
] bic to hear what went on few feet from
| The platform This condition OF affairs
| aggravated the delegates i'll the rear, and to
rclleve their fehlings they kept up "A ire
mendous clatter, stamping, clapping, Yell
| ing "Sit DOWN aud Question" at every
| turn IN the proceedings. At times the sceurs
were fully wild those of national po-
| litical convention. Gen. Fairchild did his
best to preserve order, hut finally gave up IN
| disgust and resigned the gayel to the senior
vice commander
The expected animated debate above re
ferred to, upon the report of the national
committee on pensions, was blocked 10y tue
moving of the previous question as soon us it
| had been presented. The adoption OF the re-
port commits the enrampment on the pension
subject. After reviewing the history of the
dependent pension bill, its veto by the presi-
dent and referring to the fact that the COM
mittee had appealed to the posts OF the coun-
try for expression of opinion that Veto,
the report went on to say:
The reply was prompt vigorous, and al
tuost unanimous With an emphasis credlta-
Die to their solderly instincts the S0J,UI0
members Of the Grand Army of the Republic
gave reply that there was neither fair fulfill
ment of the promises of the nation, loyal re-
meunbrance of the sacrifices on the altar OF
the union, nor grateful recognition of
patriotic service, in veto which doomed
5000 veterans Of the late war TO remain pub
nc paupers instead of becoming deserving
pensioners. Disappointed but not disheart-
| ened, your committee at once took up the
work for a fresh contest
The new bill proposed makes provisions for
pensions of Sl2 per month To all veterans
who are now or may hereafter become una
continuance of pensions for widows in their
own right, for All increase OF the present pit
lance to minor children, and for the fathers
| or mothers from any date Of dependence
Such law the committee said would at
aucs remove fully l2,0V veterans from
public aluis houses where they now
rest, making them pensioners instead
OF paupers; provide pensions for
fully rs many more now dependent
upon private charity, and put into the gem
erai pension laws for the first time the rec
ognition of the principle that pensions may
be granted to survivors of the late war with
out absolute proof OF disability arising from
| the service-proof almost Impossible to pro-
| cure after the ape OF more than twenty
| years. The bill Is similar general princi-
| pies to that vetoed, but the objectionable pau
| per clause is omitted, making this a disabiI-
| ity not dependent, bill The COMMITTEES
| considers tins bill far short of what should
| he granted They therefore recommend the
continuance of earnest efforts i'll ia vor of the
| following:
All the recommendations for Increase and euuali-
Laton OF pensions for special disabilities made in
| his recent report by Pension Commissioner Black
| pension Of S12 per month To ali widows ot
honorahy discharged soldiers aud sailors OF the
late war
Increased pensions for the severrr disabilities
| substantially presented in the hill prepared b,
The United States Manned Veterans league
Pensions for The survivors of rebel prisons sub
| stantialy presented in the bill of the National
Association of Prisoners of War
| Increased pensions for loss of hearing or eve
| sight, re-enactment of the arrears law. aud at
| equitable equalization of bounTi-s
The same pension for the widow OF the repre
sensitive volunteer soldier of the Union army
| SOhn a Logan, Is paid 10 the widows Of thoSe
| typical regulars Thomas the rock If ChIcka
manga, ami Hancock always the superb
Every delegate was III bis seat at the after
noon session. A long report was submitted
by the committee appointed to consider the
address OF the commandments AMI it
was adopted with a three times three 1t
sulogized his administration of the office sIlg-
| gested that a proper testimonial he presented
| him III the name Of the organization and ap-
| proved 0t all his recommendations Special
| approval was also given in the report to the
action of the commander chief in Instruct
| ing posts to Withhold replies to circular Is
| sued by New York paper, the COMMITTEES
| expressing the opinion that 1T is entirely
Improper aud contrary to the rules of the or
| Ter for posts o express themselves by official
| action at the request Of persons outside of
the Grand Army of the Republic upon any
| subject or question unless officially author
lEed or requested to do through the regri-
lar official channels of the organization
There was prolonged debate over Il reso-
tuition submitted Wednesday declaring that
MOrmonlSm is treason, and that therefore
the drand Army should go on record as I'M
equiVocally opposed 10 its continued tolera-
ton by the general government. The com
mittee reported adversely to the resolution on
the ground that the matter was foreign to
the purpose of the Grand Army, and pOlit-
zeal in its nature. Nandervoort OF Nebraska,
vigorously opposed the report, contending
that one of the jscts of the Grand Army
was to encourage honor and purity in pub
lie affairs, and that this matter was strictly
within the line of its work. He was support
ed 10y Tanner, of New York, and Campbell,
OF Kansas but Hon. Hannibal Hamiin made. a
strong i'eech in opposition to the resolution,
and the report of the committee was adopted
Resolutions were adopted requesting con
gress to set apart place at the capital where
all captured flags and other trophies of war
could be displayed and suggesting Pension
hall for that purpose. Also requesting con
gress to pass law requiring the United
States government to furnish to each honOra-
bly, discharged soldier, sailor, or marine, upon
his application, his medical record as found
in the archives of the surgeon generals office
at Washington.
There was sharp contest over the selection
of location for the next encampment Col
umbus, Ohio; Gettysburg, Chattanooga, and
Saratoga were placed In nomination, but be-
fore the ballot was announced the two latter
withdrew and the vote resulted in the selec-
ton of Columbus
The national convention of the Women's |
Relief Corps grappled for five hours with the |
split in the order in Indiana on the question |
Of eligibility to membership, referred to yes
tardE, At times some of the delegates lost |
thsb temper, and the session was so pro
traced that they also lost their lunch. Final
ly report prepared by special committee
was adopted a compromise by a vote of |
liz to 3D. By it the convention recognizes
both factions and allows the two department
commanders, Ellen G.. Gorsuch, elected at
South Bend. March "a, 1897, and |
Flora Wulchner, elected at Indianapolis
Feb. z, 1887, to continue in command of |
their respective factions until special state
convention can be called. All charters is
sued by the two factions are legalized, and |
the alleged seceders are given the password
The adoption of the report admitted to seats
in the convention Mrs. l. Wheeler, secretary
of he lndi lie